The new accessibility law – what should you know as an e-commerce owner?
Starting in 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) will take effect. This document sets out accessibility requirements for selected products and services, including digital ones, with a view to people with special needs, such as seniors or people with disabilities. The scope of the act is very broad, so every e-commerce owner should familiarize themselves with its provisions, especially since the penalties for non-compliance can be very severe.
European Accessibility Act - what does it apply to and when will it take effect?
The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is groundbreaking European Union legislation that aims to make products and services accessible to all, regardless of fitness level. It is the first such comprehensive regulation in EU law that imposes accessibility obligations not only on public institutions, but also on the private sector.
The EAA complements Accessibility Plus by introducing a market dimension to make products and services more widely available. It aims not only to make technology and services more accessible to the elderly and people with disabilities, but also to promote greater public awareness of the need for accessibility. This makes society more open and inclusive, which benefits everyone - both the able-bodied and those who face various limitations.
What are the main goals of the EAA?
- To make applications, websites and online services easier to use for all users, regardless of their dexterity.
- Making devices such as smartphones, payment terminals, ATMs and televisions more accessible.
- Changes in the design of public spaces to make them more friendly to people with disabilities.
- Raising awareness of accessibility among businesses and the public, which is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the needs of different social groups.
>Importantly, the improvements made by the EAA benefit everyone. Even able-bodied people often use tools and technologies that were originally created with accessibility in mind, such as programs that read text, voice commands on smartphones, subtitles for movies or audio books. These facilities are becoming part of our daily lives, making it easier to use public spaces, products and services.>
For companies, complying with EAA requirements is not just a matter of legal compliance, but also an opportunity to grow, innovate and increase profits. Investing in accessibility opens new markets, improves image and builds customer confidence.
The provisions of the European Accessibility Act will come into force on June 28, 2025, giving businesses time to make the necessary changes and adapt their offerings to the new requirements.
Who is affected by the new EAA regulations?
The new regulations affect the entire supply chain: manufacturers, distributors, importers and service providers. Industries affected by the new regulations are:
- E-commerce:Online store owners will have to ensure that their websites and apps are accessible to all users, which includes adjusting navigation, content and features.
- Banking:E-banking services, including mobile apps, ATMs and other self-service devices, must be designed with accessibility in mind for people with various limitations.
- Telecommunications and media:Telecommunications and streaming media companies are required to ensure that their services and devices are accessible to people with disabilities, both in terms of content and user interfaces.
- Electronic devices:Manufacturers and distributors of devices such as smartphones, computers and televisions must comply with accessibility requirements, meaning that they must be usable by all users.
- Transportation:Transportation companies will have to adapt their ticketing systems, self-service kiosks and other information services so that they are accessible to every passenger, regardless of their ability.
E-commerce is one of the areas covered by the EAA regulations. It is worth noting, however, that micro-enterprises - that is, companies with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover of less than €2 million - are excluded from the obligations. This means that if you run a micro-enterprise, these regulations do not apply to you for now. In other cases, be sure to read on.
EAA - what to take care of as an e-commerce owner? Visibility:
- Add text descriptionsto images and other graphic elements so that people using screen readers can accurately understand the content of the site.
- Introduce subtitles for videos and multimedia,which not only improves accessibility for the hearing impaired, but also makes the site easier to use for those browsing without sound.
- Make sure your content is responsive,which means that your content should be readable and functional on different devices, regardless of their resolution.
- Maintain adequate contrast and clarity in your content to make it easy for all users, regardless of visual ability.
Comprehensibility:
- Use simple and accessible languagein product descriptions and other content so that everyone can easily understand it.
- Ensure consistency and predictabilityof the site's performance, avoid sudden changes in navigation or layout, this will ensure a better experience for users.
- Make it easy for users to avoid errorswhen placing orders, and enable quick and easy correction of entered data (this principle is in line with one of Nielsen's Heurestics, which we wrote about in our previous article: Is your e-commerce useful?Check it out with Nielsen's 10 heusitics
- Consider implementing sign language support for videochat support,which will enable people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate effectively with your customer service team.
Functionality:
- Provide full keyboard support for the site,which is especially important for people with limited mobility.
- Give users enough time to interact with content so that they can use all site features with confidence.
- Avoid visual elements that can trigger epileptic seizures,such as flashing images or patterns.
- Design the site with intuitive navigationso users can easily navigate the site and quickly find the information they need.
- Make sure to support different input methods,such as voice or alternative devices, to allow a more flexible use of the site.
Invest in the accessibility of your e-commerce and meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). At ClawRock, we create solutions that attract and convert customers.
With over 12 years of experience and numerous awards, we help companies adapt to changing standards. Improve user experience, increase engagement and make your e-commerce accessible to everyone!
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